Mary Clare Freeman: Transit should be prompt, friendly

In response to Jan. 28 news article “Raleigh pursuing $40M grant to build ‘smarter’ transit”: While the prospect of a modernized and efficient transit system in Raleigh excites me, it is not the place to start.

Raleigh needs to start with the simple act of upgrading and modernizing bus stops and schedules. Outside of bus stops downtown, the rest are hugely inadequate.

By inadequate, I mean, there are no benches, no covers, no schedules or electronic postings to indicate when the next bus is coming. Buses run erratically, irregularly and at inconvenient hours for people who do not have their own personal transportation and rely upon public transit for work.

The city of Raleigh wants to encourage people to take public transit? To encourage a smarter transit system? Then make the systems we have in place smarter. And start by showing those who already take the bus regularly and daily that it cares. And not just the stops downtown; it needs to be taken to all stops, for all people and support those who are unable to provide transportation for themselves.

This story was originally published February 1, 2016 at 5:16 PM with the headline "Mary Clare Freeman: Transit should be prompt, friendly."